The Bahamas
The subtropical island nation of the Bahamas comprises over 700 islands and cays of which only 30 of the largest are inhabited. The islands of the Bahamas form a 760 mile long arc across the Atlantic Ocean starting only 50 miles off the eastern coast of Florida and ending only 60 miles off the northern coast of Haiti. These islands were created by a combination of limestone and coral formations and most of the islands are low in elevation with scrubby interiors and ringed with beautiful white sand beaches. The two main tourist areas in the Bahamas are on Nassau with adjoining Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island.
Nassau and Paradise Island are located on New Providence island and have a population of more than 200,000 people. This represents over half of the entire population of the Bahamas. Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas and is the center of its commerce and industry. Nassau is ringed by beautiful white sand beaches with the highest rated tourist zones being on the northern coast in an area called Cable Beach. Paradise Island is linked to Nassau by bridges and is home to many upscale hotels and resorts including the Atlantis Resort. Nearby is the cruiseship terminal which brings thousands of cruiseship tourists to Nassau and Paradise Island each day. For visitors staying on the island, Nassau and Paradise Island offer an endless array of things to do and see. During the day there are countless opportunities for boating, sailing, deep-sea fishing, jet-skiing, parasailing, snorkeling, and diving. All of the restaurants, clubs, and bars usher in the evening with great food, tropical drinks, fiery sunsets, and island music lasting into the wee hours of the morning. For cruiseship passengers Nassau offers some of the best duty-free shopping to be found in the Caribbean. Passengers can also take a shuttle or taxi over to Paradise Island and take a tour of the Atlantis Resort including its fantastic aquarium.
Grand Bahama Island lies north of Nassau and is accessed by its own international airport which is close to the main town of Freeport. Grand Bahama was a major tourist destination during the 1950's and 1960's due to its close proximity to Florida, its casinos, and its wonderful accommodations and beaches. Its growth stalled during the 1980's and 1990's as Nassau and Paradise Island took over as the number one tourist area, but Grand Bahama is making a comeback. The island has wonderful hotels and beach resorts, new casinos, and a abundance of watersports. Many enthusiasts have said that Grand Bahama has some of the best deep-sea fishing to be found on the planet. If you are interested in doing something different with your evening activities come to a unique experience called Bonfire on the Beach. Your evening kicks off by sitting on the beach and watching a beautiful sunset while a huge bonfire is being lit near you to usher in an evening filled with live music, an all-you-can-eat dinner, unlimited drinks, and a host of newly-made friends.
The out-islands which include Abaco, Bimini, Eleuthra, Great Exuma, Cat Island, Long Island, Andros, and the Berry Islands offer the opportunity for total solitude and some of the best beaches in the world. Accommodations range from modestly priced family hotels to exclusive private island resorts. These islands are known for their world-class deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and sailing. Many of these islands are within sight of each other so island hopping by boat will produce memories that will stay with you for a lifetime. A slower-paced Caribbean lifestyle is easy to find in these out islands and the expression that fits life here is "no worries, Mon". Many of these islands are long and narrow which allows visitors to see a beautiful sunrise, a fiery sunset, and a multitude of water-related activities in between.
Shopping for many people is an important part of their tropical vacation and for some it's even a lifestyle. The main tourist areas of Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island offer fantastic selections for duty-free shopping. Great values on jewelry, watches, perfume, cameras, china, crystal, designer clothing, and liquor can be found in abundance. If you are visiting Nassau be sure to check out the Straw Market on Bay Street which is known for its straw hats and handbags, jewelry, t-shirts, and locally-made souvenirs. The Straw Market is home to more than 500 vendors who deal with regular visitors as well as cruiseship passengers.
The islands of the Bahamas offer a true tropical island vacation experience of sun, sea, and sand. These islands are very close to the United States and offer a safe, English-speaking location for vacationers. The U.S. dollar and major credit cards are widely accepted. With something for everyone the Bahamas is truly an unforgettable tropical island vacation experience.
